NEWS BRIEFS
Dallas, TEXAS — SGI, recognized worldwide for providing a broad range of advanced graphics and high-performance computing solutions, announced the availability of two powerful software tools for the SGI Onyx AE 3000 series of visualization computers. OpenGL Multipipe and OpenGL Multipipe Software Development Kit (SDK) now make it easier than ever to develop graphics software that takes advantage of the scalable architecture of SGI Onyx AE family visualization systems.
“SGI’s OpenGL Multipipe and OpenGL Multipipe SDK offer a technically superior and more versatile solution than anything currently on the market,” said Michael Brown, marketing manager of Server and Visual Computing for SGI. “This comprehensive software portfolio underscores SGI’s dedication to making it easy to develop and run applications on our computers with multiple graphics subsystems.”
The adaptable technology is geared for technical, creative and business professionals who use collaborative display environments, such as SGI Reality Center facilities. These environments typically use multiple graphics subsystems or “pipes” drawing onto multiple displays, creating a challenge for the application developer to efficiently manage graphics resources. One key advantage of OpenGL Multipipe SDK is that it allows the developer to focus on writing graphics code as opposed to worrying about multi-pipe synchronization issues.
These tools are critical for software developers such as Advanced Visual Systems, Inc. (AVS), which used OpenGL Multipipe SDK to build its portfolio of industry-leading data visualization and analysis products.
“SGI is a company that really understands data visualization and the needs of software developers who work in this area,” said Ian Curington, director of Technical Marketing for AVS. “OpenGL Multipipe SDK provided us with a practical and convenient transition path when we decided to add multi-pipe support to our AVS/Express product.”
OpenGL Multipipe is totally transparent, meaning that users do not need to modify their applications. Software will run automatically and take advantage of multiple graphics subsystems, even though the application was not explicitly developed for this type of environment.
OpenGL Multipipe SDK is a multi-pipe programming interface for OpenGL AE. Through its simple configuration file format, it provides run-time portability of OpenGL applications between single-user and large-scale immersive environments such as Reality Center rooms, walls, desk displays and domes.
SGI provides a broad range of high-performance computing and advanced graphics solutions that enable customers to understand and conquer their toughest computing problems. Headquartered in Mountain View, Calif., with offices worldwide, the company is located on the Web at http://www.sgi.com .
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